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For Parents
Congratulations! Your son has been elected to be a candidate for membership in the
Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society.
We appreciate your support. While many organizations have specific
commitments for every member, the Order of the Arrow is unique
because it offers each Scout a multitude of opportunities to serve,
and your son can tailor his involvement accordingly.
An active member is a registered member that is committed to serving
his home unit. Please feel free to visit the pages of our site to
learn more about this exciting opportunity for your son.
The Ordeal
Now that your son has been elected by his troop, he must attend the
Ordeal of the Order. A list of things to bring to the Ordeal will
be sent to your son. The responsibilities of the candidate at the
Ordeal is:
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The
Candidate spends a night alone as a sign of courage and self
reliance. It is also a time for self reflection and to
consider the events taking place.
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The
Candidate keeps complete silence. This gives him the
opportunity to pay stricter attention to unspoken thoughts,
searching out past deficiencies and resolving on a life of
fuller service in the future.
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The
Candidate spends the daylight hours of the Ordeal in
meaningful labor. This proves the candidates willingness to
serve others cheerfully.
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The
Candidate also eats sparingly, thus proving the ability to
subordinate the appetites of the body to the high purpose of
the spirit. |
Taken
together, the four elements of the Ordeal are a meaningful and
inspiring experience for the candidate. They provide a total
participation of the mind and spirit. The Ordeal is not soon
forgotten by the new member.
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